Despite totalitarian oppression and curtailment of democratic freedom, the support for the NSDAP in East Prussia remained strong. After years of depression, investment programmes by the new rulers, that boosted war-important branches of production, ensured rapid economic recovery particularly in East Prussia. The agricultural area benefitted from the state-sponsored "battle of production" with which the National Socialists wanted to become independent of food imports.
Thus the "East Prussia Plan" contributed to the stability of the often over-indebted farms, for example through purchase guarantees or cheap loans. Farms and estates were therefore able to invest in buildings and machinery again.
In Masuria, thousands of hectares of meadows were developed with the support of the "Reichsarbeitsdienst" (Reich Labour Service) for draining wet soils, so that livestock farming and milk production increased sharply. Unemployment fell rapidly. This progress led to a high national debt, which was counter-financed by the exploitation of the countries occupied during the war.
Illustrations:
1.) Propaganda picture of the "Reichsarbeitsdienst" (Reich Labour Service) in East Prussia, 1938
The original text for the picture reads: "Reich Labour Service as harvest assistance. In East Prussia, four motorised harvest assistant work units of the Reich Labour Service were deployed yesterday, which help wherever a quick harvest seems necessary. Each work unit has 36 workers, all of whom can work with the scythe."
The National Socialists succeeded in conveying a feeling of support and assistance in East Prussia, the former "poorhouse of Germany". One year later Germany started a war of aggression and destruction at the end of which stood the downfall of East Prussia.
Photo: German Federal Archives, picture 146-1987-085-19
2.) Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler and Reich President Paul von Hindenburg on 26th August 1933, the anniversary of Hindenburg's victory at Tannenberg, in the East Prussian "Tannenberg National Memorial" (later "Reich Memorial") near Hohenstein, Osterode district.
In addition to his economic success, Hitler succeeded in exploiting East Prussia's island position to consolidate power by stirring up fears of a Polish threat. Thus, he understood how to present himself in the tradition of the former Prussian rulers and quasi monarch Hindenburg, the "saviour of East Prussia", as a new figure of identification and their natural successor.
Photo: East Prussian Picture Archive, 110303